Officer Paulson, please prepare the class for the presentations.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Governor Schwarzenegger provides remarks at the graduation Ceremony for cogeneration
Before you take your seats we would like to take a moment to honor the memories of our most recently fallen CHP officers. In the time that CTC 1 of 2010 has been in academy training our department has suffered the loss of five of its brothers in the line of duty.• Officer Daniel Benavides, ID 15193, Border Division Air Operations,• Officer Thomas Coleman, ID 17338, San Bernardino area,• Officer Philip Ortiz, ID 10428, West Los Angeles area,• Officer Justin McGrory, ID 18606, Barstow area and• Officer Brett Oswald, ID 13146, Templeton Area.Please join me in a moment of silence as we remember these officers' dedication to the department and to those they served. Thank you. Please be seated.Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, members of the graduating class, families and friends, the Academy training staff and I are pleased and honored to be taking part in this ceremony today. The graduates have worked extremely hard to get to this point in their careers and I am sure that they appreciate the fact that each of you are here to share this moment with them.Each member of the class has demonstrated the ability to perform all tasks of a California Highway Patrol officer. Therefore we are proud to announce that all are qualified for graduation and promotion to the rank of officer.At this time I would like to introduce some of the special guests we have with us this morning. Each has taken time from a busy schedule to join us in honoring members of this graduating class. Please hold your applause until the introductions are completed.Beginning on my far right, the manager of the Academy's Instructional Services Program, Lieutenant DeWayne Lewis. Next to him, the manager of the Academy's Tactical Training Program, Lt. Mike Cardoza. Next to him is Assistant Commissioner, Field, Ramona Prieto. Next to her is Assistant Commissioner, Staff, Warren Stanley. Next to him is Deputy Commissioner Max Santiago.It now gives me great pleasure to introduce the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, Joe Farrow, who will introduce this morning's distinguished guests. Commissioner Farrow. (Applause)Thank you very much, Captain Newman. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the California Highway Patrol Academy. It's certainly an honor and a privilege for all of you to be here today to join in the celebration today for these 106 men and women who have passed the ultimate test to become members of the California Highway Patrol, which we believe is one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country.I would like to start by acknowledging a few, a few special guests that we have invited here today that are seated on the floor today. And I wanted to start with the men and women from the local law enforcement agencies, the brothers and sisters of the California Highway Patrol, all the men and women who serve proudly within state agencies, the county agencies and local police departments. Many are in uniform, some are not but a special tribute. Thank you very much for being here, you honor us. It's great to serve with you out on the front lines and we wish all of you well, all the men and women in law enforcement that are here today. (Applause)Also a special recognition and an appreciation for our men and women in uniform who protect the borders of our fine country. There is conflict in the world right now; there are many men and women who serve our armed forces proudly here on a day-to-day basis. There are several here today in the audience, some in the overflow rooms. But those fine men and women who protect our borders day in and day out so we can secure the confines of California and the United States, thank you very much for being here, thank you very much for what you do. (Applause)And a special, a special welcome to a good friend of the California Highway Patrol -- we are actually in her Assembly District right now -- she is a great friend for the Patrol, a great supporter for law enforcement in the communities in which we serve. This is actually part of her district. She has come over here today to honor the men and women of the California Academy and it's very, very nice to have here today Assemblymember Mariko Yamada. (Applause)And before I introduce my boss, the Secretary of the Business, Transportation & Housing -- I've had an opportunity to meet with the cadets, we had a long time to talk just the other day. You know how I feel about you, you know the mission you're about to go on. I want to be one of the first to congratulate you on a job well done.I want to be able to tell you that when you first came here you came to us. You selected the Highway Patrol as your career, you wanted to be a member of this department. As a good friend used to talk to the cadets when he would come up here, he'd say "That's what you did, you chose a career with the Highway Patrol, that we didn't choose you, you chose us."And when you were asked to come up here you were asked to display your talents to some very strict physical standards, a lot of emotional standards and some very high academic standards and you were able to fulfill those requirements.And now today, we select you. We bring you onboard to one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country. You have done it all, you have distinguished yourself and you've met every challenge that we could offer you. And you have done exceedingly well, so I am one of the first to congratulate you on becoming a member of the California Highway Patrol. (Applause) And I'll have another personal message for you a little bit later on in the proceedings.But it does give me great pleasure to be able to introduce my immediate boss. For those of you that do not know the governmental structure of the state of California, the Highway Patrol is one agency, one department in the Business, Transportation & Housing. It's an agency that oversees some 44,000 state employees and some 12 different disciplines, disciplines such as Caltrans, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Office of Traffic Safety and the Highway Patrol just being one of those departments. We always like to think that we're the favorite of those departments but it's just one of the 12 that he oversees.He's been a good friend of the Patrol, a strong supporter of myself, a strong supporter of the organization. He's been to every single graduation that we've had, he's been to every line of duty memorial service that we've had. He's been with me through the very difficult times and he's been with me through all the good and he's a good friend of mine, he's a good friend of the Patrol. I'd like to introduce my boss, the Honorable Dale E. Bonner. (Applause)Good morning. Thank you. Thank you very much, Commissioner Farrow, not only for the always warm and generous introduction but in particular for the very strong and stable leadership that you've brought to the department. We appreciate your service to the state of California.Thank you also to all of the families and friends and loved ones who are with us here, not only in the room here but those who are watching from afar. Thank you for encouraging all the cadets and supporting them, helping them get to this point in their careers. We appreciate you being here with us this morning.Captain Newman, thank you and the Academy staff for the phenomenal job that you do in preparing these cadets for the service that they are about to enter. And, of course, to all the cadets, thank you all very much for stepping up and choosing to devote your career to law enforcement.As secretary, nothing brings me more pride and satisfaction and humility than to be here on a day like today to share this moment with you as you make this transition to this next stage in your career. Today you are joining -- I think the Commissioner said, "The finest law enforcement agency in the country." I like to think of it as the finest law enforcement agency on the planet. You're joining an elite team of highly trained professional women and men who devote their days to sacrifice in order to provide a high level of public safety to those who not only live in California but come here to visit and do business and so we appreciate that a great deal.So it's a great honor for me to be here this morning, not only to say congratulations but more importantly to say thank you for a job well done here at the Academy and for the job that we know you're going to be doing as you go forward.Today I have the added privilege of introducing someone who is not only a visionary leader but a strong supporter and friend of the California Highway Patrol. Throughout his term as governor he has led by example and exemplified all of the core values that have supported the department throughout its history -- character, integrity, judgment, loyalty, courtesy, honor and knowledge. And like you, he understands the importance and the meaning of hard work and sacrifice. And also like the women and men of the Highway Patrol, he doesn't believe in cowering in the face of adversity but instead he inspires me and all of us here in Sacramento to always continue to move forward even in the most difficult of times.And so we're very pleased that he's been able to take some time out of his extraordinarily busy schedule just to spend the morning to offer us a few words of appreciation and encouragement. We're truly honored to have him with us this morning. And so without further ado, please join me in welcoming my boss, your chief advocate, our Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Applause)Thank you. Thank you very much. As a matter of fact, I'm very happy to be here today. As a matter of fact, I can see also out there in the faces of everyone that you also are very happy -- very, very happy. As a matter of fact, I think that you are as happy as LeBron James is, leaving Cleveland. (Laughter) Talking about LeBron James, are we covering that on ESPN today? I hope so.But anyway, it is really wonderful to be here today and I'm very proud to be here because I'm very proud of each one of you. Today you join the state's premiere police force and you've committed yourself to the safety and protection of the people of the great state of California. Few are called to do what you are about to do and walk the path that you about to walk and on behalf of the state's 38 million residents I thank you for accepting this call to serve. You all are warriors. (Applause)You all are warriors, pledging today to champion the innocent and to safeguard the lives of our good citizens. Can we turn that down a little bit? Thank you. The CHP has been created in 1929 so that California's laws could be uniformly enforced all across the state of California. The idea was very simple; no more local police setting up speed traps to drive up their revenues.But the job that you are about to do has grown since then, has expanded. Now you are going into all kinds of different challenges; calming down riots, responding to disasters, fighting gangs and saving lives at accident scenes and the list goes on and on. Now, I have played an action hero many times in my movies, as you know but you are true action heroes. Let's give a big hand to the great, great action that you're creating. (Applause)Now, you will put your life on the line on our behalf and I admire your selflessness and your sacrifice and your strength. You have just conquered 27 grueling weeks in an intense program that has made you among the most highly-trained cadets in the world. After thousands of hours of push-ups, thousands of chin-ups, the crunches -- you have developed muscles that I can see through the uniform. (Laughter) All the deltoids and the abs and the pecs popping out, I can see it all. And you have crawled and you have jumped and you have climbed and, of course, run, run, run.And it isn't just the physical training that amazes me so much that you have accomplished but also you became expert marksmen and you have all become professional drivers capable of speeds and driving feats that would make any Hollywood stuntman jealous. (Laughter) You have learned conversational Spanish. Maybe I should come here and learn English. But anyway, that's beside -- (Laughter) that's beside the point. And SWAT duties, investigative techniques, how to testify in court and how to command a scene in chaos. I mean, I just get exhausted talking about all the training that you have done.But there's one thing that you can't train for and that is character, that is passion. That comes from within; you were born with that. It will come naturally to you to take risks in your new career and the dangers that you will face will be all too real. Those who are ready to sacrifice themselves in the service of our community are my personal heroes. You are my heroes.Now, I know a little bit about law enforcement simply because my father was a police officer. And I would watch him put on his uniform every day. I remember it very well. As a matter of fact, he made me always shine his belt buckle and polish his shoes every morning. That part I hated, I have to admit it. But I loved watching him put on his uniform. As a matter of fact, he always let me put on his jacket first before he put it on. Then, I remember, I was so little the jacket went all the way down to the floor. He always wanted me to be a police officer just like him. And I watched him put his shield on his chest and walk proudly out of the door.That gave me a deep respect for our law enforcement officers and also for their families. Also for their families, because I understand what it is like to say goodbye to your loved one each and every day and wonder if this is the day that they do not come home. Is this the day where there will be a knock on my door and our family will change forever? Is this the last pat on the head or the last hug or the last kiss? Your families will live with that question every day. This is why I want to mention the families, because you will sacrifice and they will serve too. So let's give a big hand to the families out there for their great partnership. (Applause)Now, unfortunately, several families of our CHP officers are in tremendous pain right now. As you all know, this has been a devastating time for California's law enforcement family. Since May we have lost five CHP officers in the line of duty. Their deaths leave a void that can never be filled. There simply are no words adequate enough to take away the pain that their loved ones will carry with them each day forward. Their wives, their children, their parents, their brothers, their sisters, their friends, their fellow officers and the list goes on and on.Over the last week I've traveled to these officers' funerals and I've handed their wives flags that have flown over the state's Capitol in memory of each of these officers. And I've prayed with their families, held their children and thanked their parents for raising heroes at their kitchen tables. I hope that there is some small comfort in the undying gratitude that comes from me and from my wife Maria and the people of the great state of California when those officers died serving.As a matter of fact, I would just like to tell you a little bit about each of these fallen heroes, if you don't mind, because they're true heroes:• There was Officer Justin McGrory of Victorville. Justin was 28 years old and I know he loved his job. His dad, Bob, was a CHP lieutenant, so you can imagine the conversations that they had, talking about law enforcement and about catching the bad guys and rescuing drivers in trouble. Well, on Tuesday I met Justin's three children and gave them each a teddy bear. And I also gave one to his wife Kelly, who is eight months pregnant with their fourth child, a girl named Casey.• Officer Brett Oswald of Atascadero. Brett's buddies called him the most well read guy that they've ever met, an interesting, fascinating guy. He would talk just about anything. He was so well read that he could talk about the stock market and about travel, about cigars -- which is, of course, one of my favorite conversations -- or salsa dancing and philosophy and the list goes on and on.• And he also saw beauty in everything, especially in animals. His friends were telling at the funeral stories about them coming over to the house and there they would be greeted all of a sudden in the kitchen by a pig. And then they go the living room and they would be greeted by a dog and then by a deer. All kinds of animals were roaming around inside the house, relaxing in the house with Brett and with his wife Marlene.• And then there's Officer Thomas Coleman of Fontana. Tom was a proud marine, then an embassy guard in Italy. And then he really made a big move up and became a CHP officer. (Laughter) He loved motorcycles and he became a CHP motor officer. But Tom's greatest dream was to be a father and he made that dream come true with his wife Jamie.• And then Officer Dan Benavides of Indio. Danny was a CHP pilot. He was extremely proud of taking criminals off the streets. He was serious about his job but he also loved making people laugh and was a big practical joker. If you knew him then you were his friend and a target of his jokes. People say they never saw Danny without a smile. And he was very devoted to his wife Megan, who is here with us today and his daughter Madeline. Let's give them a big hand. They're here today with us. (Applause)• Then there's Officer Phil Ortiz of Valencia. Phil joined the CHP in 1982 and he was an incredibly dedicated man, incredibly dedicated to the people of his community. As a matter of fact, he was so dedicated that one time he drove on his motorcycle and he was stung by a bee right on his face. But he didn’t stop, he didn't pull over. He just pulled the stinger out and continued on with his swollen face, kept on working the rest of his shift. That's how dedicated he was. Phil leaves behind his wife Jessica and a large, close extended family.You see, each of those heroes truly lived the words of the oath, the oath each of you are about to take. They laid down their lives rather than swerve from the path of duty. That integrity and sense of duty, of course, is in the heart of every CHP officer.And I can tell you that your commissioner, Joe Farrow, models those characteristics every day and especially in the recent weeks. I've watched him rush to comfort the families of these fallen officers, speak at their funerals with great passion and keep our CHP force strong all through these tragedies. I am so proud that we in California have such a great commissioner. He is fighting for you and he's fighting for your safety. Let's give him a big, big hand. (Applause)And I want you to know that when you leave here today to go out there on the front lines that you have every resource that I could give you, because I love the CHP. When I became governor one of the first things that I did was to begin building up the Highway Patrol. I increased the CHP Road Patrol and funded new positions to create the largest staffing increase in four decades. I know that more and more miles are being traveled on our California roads and there are more vehicles that are registered. As a matter of fact, there are 33 million vehicles registered in California and, of course, our state has more licensed drivers than any other state. So you have my support. And since your law enforcement family protects my family, that makes us all family. That makes us all family.I honor each of you, your commitment. I honor your courage; I honor your conviction. So thank you and the people of California thank you. So congratulations on your graduation day. Be safe and welcome to the California Highway Patrol.Thank you very much and God bless all of you. Thank you. (Applause)Thank you, Governor Schwarzenegger. Cadets, give him one.That's for you, sir. (Laughter)We now move on to the portion of this morning's ceremony in which we give recognition to a few cadets who distinguished themselves during their time here at the Academy. This class, like those before it, has developed a bond which will remain throughout their careers. That bond is exemplified by the selection of the class president and company commanders.At this time I'd like to call upon Lieutenant DeWayne Lewis to introduce the president of Cadet Training Class 1 of 2010. Lt. Lewis.Thank you, Captain Newman. The class president was elected by the cadets to represent the class during their time here at the Academy. In their selection the cadets looked for an individual who they believed exhibited outstanding leadership. They found such a person in Cadet Michael Caldwell.Through Michael Caldwell's strong organizational skills and effective communications, he was able to prove himself as a leader and ultimately was successful in promoting an overall sense of camaraderie within the class. Cadet Caldwell comes to the Academy from Paso Robles, California and he is 35 years old. On behalf of the Academy staff and CTC 1 of 2010, I would like to present Cadet Caldwell with an award which recognizes his leadership abilities as class president. (Applause)Thank you. Governor Schwarzenegger, Commissioner Farrow, Secretary Bonner, Captain Newman, Academy staff, distinguished guests, families and friends. On behalf of CTC 1-10 it is my honor and privilege to welcome you here today. I would also like to make a special welcome to Ms. Megan Benavides, the wife of fallen officer Daniel Benavides.On January 4th, 2010, 179 cadets embarked on a new journey that few have started and even fewer have finished. Today, 27 weeks later, 106 cadets come to the end of that journey only to begin a new adventure as an officer in the California Highway Patrol. We started as individuals from a wide cross-section of society but quickly realized that the key to success to unity, which is indicative of our class motto, "Strength Through Esprit de Corps."Together we have conquered and overcome countless training evolutions, some of which we thought would never end, like the five-second taser ride. We celebrated with each other over surviving high speed, qualifying at the range, certifying in PMA and passing Scenarios. We had to dig deep to find the mental fortitude which has brought each one of us to this momentous occasion.With that being said, we didn’t walk this path alone. The prayers, encouragement, sacrifices and support of our family and friends has been fundamental in our success. Without you we would not be here today. You made sure that things at home were running smooth, enabling us to focus our energy and our attention on our training, allowing us to make it here to graduation.CTC I-10 would also like to extend a thanks to the Staff Office, the Physical Training staff, Emergency Vehicle Operations staff, the Range staff, Enforcement Tactics staff and all the academic departments that have watched over us as instructors and mentors. We are grateful that you have chosen to dedicate yourselves, giving 100 percent of your time and energy. You ensured that we were prepared and qualified to wear the badge of the California Highway Patrol.To my classmates, it has been a great honor to serve beside you during our training. We have shared sweat, blood, tears, sore muscles and laughter as we became a family. In a few moments, when we are sworn in as officers, we will be privileged in becoming part of the CHP family. As we go forward from this stage it is my deep desire that we will each lead by example in our families, our communities and as officers.We also must not forget the 220 officers who have gone before us, five of which we personally heard the bell toll for during our time here at the Academy. Each of these officers gave the ultimate sacrifice to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.As a class we would like to pay special tribute to one of these officers. On May 7th, 2010, Officer Daniel Benavides, ID 15193 of Border Division Air Operations, lost his life in the line of duty. His years of service and dedication will be forever an inspiration to us and to future officers. CTC 1-10 would like to dedicate this ceremony in his honor and present a plaque to Mrs. Benavides with a promise that we will continue to honor Daniel by fulfilling our new responsibilities as CHP officers, with dedication, integrity and CHP pride, just as he did. Mrs. Benavides? (Applause)Personally, I would like to give thanks and praise to Jesus Christ, my Lord and savior, for giving me the strength to finish the training here at the Academy. I want to thank my wife, Joanna and my six kids, Madison, Malory, Micah, Mason, Montana and Malachi. They all gave me their unconditional love and support. (Applause)In conclusion, I would like to give special thanks to our commander, Captain Newman, who has assembled the finest law enforcement training staff in the world. Captain Newman, on behalf of CTC I-10, the newest members of the California Highway Patrol, I'm honored to present you with our class plaque. (Applause)Thank you, Cadet Caldwell. Following a long-standing Academy tradition the class plaque will be permanently displayed in the Recreation Room where you will be able to observe it after the ceremony. I want to thank the class for paying tribute to Officer Benavides and his family. Officers Coleman, Ortiz, McGrory and Oswald will be honored by the members of CTC 2 of '10 at their graduation ceremony in October.Now I would like to call upon Lieutenant Mike Cardoza to introduce the company commanders of Cadet Training Class 1 of 2010. Lt. Cardoza. (Applause)Thanks, Captain Newman. The Academy selects individuals to serve as company commander based upon leadership ability and maturity. These positions carry with them a great deal of responsibility. Company commanders are expected to set the example for other cadets to follow and act as a liaison between the cadets and Academy staff. As demonstrated by the outstanding body of cadets before us this morning, it is apparent that the company commanders of Cadet Training Class I of 2010 performed their duties in an exemplary manner and in doing so gained the respect both of their peers and the Academy staff.Therefore it is my pleasure this morning to present the company commanders with a special award acknowledging their leadership and dedication to duty.A Company Commander Cadet Vincenzo Alvarez is 38 years old and comes from Lake Elsinore, California. (Applause)B Company Commander Cadet Justin Maier is 29 years old and comes from Atwater, California. Would you please step up and accept your award as B Company Commander. (Applause)C Company Commander Cadet Yevgeny Zubku is 26 years old and comes from Elk Grove, California. Would you please accept your award as C Company Commander? (Applause)Thank you, Lt. Cardoza. Throughout each of our lives leadership, achievement and competition play important roles. Life at the Academy is no different. Here our cadet program is divided into several categories. Individual evaluations are made and awards are given to cadets that have distinguished themselves by consistently delivering outstanding performance. The award categories are Valedictorian, Outstanding Athlete, Outstanding Marksman, Most Inspirational Cadet and Outstanding Cadet.The recipients of these awards receive a personal plaque in honor of his or her outstanding achievement. We are very proud of our awards program and are especially proud of the commitment, dedication and effort that these cadets exhibited to receive these well-deserved honors.Our first award will be presented to the Class Valedictorian. Presenting this award will be Assistant Commissioner Ramona Prieto. Commissioner Prieto?Thank you, Captain Newman and good morning. Cadets who complete Academy curriculum spend 1,280 classroom hours studying over 70 subjects. Success in each course is signified by passing a comprehensive exam. Grades from these examinations are averaged into a final score and the cadet who achieves the top overall academic score receives the award for Class Valedictorian.The Academic class average for CTC 1-2010 was 92.98 percent. The Valedictorian of the class attained a final score of 97.75 percent. Cadet Jeffrey Clements, 24 years old, comes from Simi Valley, California. Cadet Clements, would you please accept your award for your outstanding academic achievement? (Applause)Governor Schwarzenegger, Secretary Bonner, Commissioner Farrow, honored guests, family and friends, on behalf of Cadet Training Class I of 2010, we welcome you and thank you for being here today.On January 4th, 2010, 179 men and women entered the gates of the finest law enforcement training academy in the world to begin their grueling 27-week journey to become officers of the California Highway Patrol. Today that journey culminates with the 106 cadets that are sitting before you.Many of us left the comforts of home, family, friends and, in some cases, successful careers, because we heard a higher calling. We realized that our moral clarity would not allow us to sit back and let others provide this great state with the safety, service and security that so many take for granted.Over the course of our training we received approximately 1,300 hours of instruction, roughly the equivalent of two years of college, packed into 27 weeks. While this was a daunting task, CTC I-10 proved they were up to the challenge by achieving an academic class average of 92.98, a testament to the quality of the individuals seated before you today.Our success can best be described through our class motto, "Strength Through Esprit de Corps." It was our esprit de corps that gave us the strength to continue through the blood, sweat and tears that were shed on this very gym floor during the early morning PT sessions. It's what gave us the motivation to continue on during the long and cold perimeter runs in the pouring rain of the pre-dawn hours. It was our esprit de corps that gave us the strength and perseverance to push on as we mourned the loss of five California Highway Patrol Officers during our stay at the Academy. For many of us, these tragic losses only steadied our resolve to finish our training as we realized that these men and women died building upon the proud tradition that we are bound to uphold. It was our esprit de corps that got us here to graduation day today.Our class only grew stronger as we lost fellow cadets who could not meet the high requirements to continue on in this academy. While we were saddened to see our fellow cadets and friends leave, we could only momentarily pause to grieve as we had to press on in our training.It is our esprit de corps that will give us the strength to carry on if we one day find ourselves fighting for our life on the side of the highway.While this may sound like a frightening scenario to the loved ones here today, be assured that Captain Newman and his Academy staff have prepared us for what awaits. Many of the staff themselves have patrolled the meanest streets of the state and they have put into action what they have taught us. They have moved under fire and closed with the enemy. They have comforted crash victims, experiencing the worst days of their life and they know that this endeavor is deadly serious. This is why the training demanded us to be pushed to what we thought was our absolute limits, only to be pushed further.To my fellow cadets, soon to be officers, I ask that you remember that the California Highway Patrol is the number one law enforcement agency in the nation and arguably the number one in the world. Being number one in the world requires that we pay a very high price. This Academy laid the foundation of our law enforcement knowledge and skills that will be used for our entire CHP career. Mastering these skills should be our priority, as our lives, the lives of our fellow officers and the public, depend on it. Stay focused, train hard and be the professionals that we've been trained to be.Remember to thank your families and friends for supporting you along this journey. They will continue to be your strength in the days ahead as you face the challenges of break in and probation.It has been an absolute honor training beside you these last 27 weeks and I thank you for the memories and the lifelong friendships. God bless and good luck. (Applause)Thank you, Cadet Clements. The next awards are for Outstanding Athlete and Outstanding Marksmanship. Making the presentations this morning is Assistant Commissioner, Staff, Warren Stanley. Commissioner Stanley?Thank you, Captain Newman. Physical demands are placed on California Highway Patrol Officers throughout their careers. To prepare for these demands cadets participate in strenuous physical conditioning program which develops both cardiovascular and anaerobic strength. The 87 hours they spend in physical training brought these cadets to levels of achievement they thought never possible.Every cadet is required to successfully complete a battery of challenging physical tests before graduation. Cadets are also tested on push-ups, sit-ups, body fat levels and a timed mile and a half run. The top athlete for a Cadet Training Class I of 2010 is 28 years old and comes from Chowchilla, California. Cadet Jonathon Pope, please accept your award for the Top Athlete. (Applause)Cadets receive over 93 hours of firearms training. This includes intensive instruction in firearm safety and in the practical applications of all departmental weapons. Each cadet must pass what is known as "A task oriented qualification course," with a pistol, shotgun and rifle. To graduate, each cadet must maintain 100 percent shooting accuracy within stringent time limits. In addition to this qualification course cadets must successfully complete a realistic combat-oriented course using both the pistol and the shotgun. Those cadets who demonstrate the highest level of proficiency are then invited to participate in yet one more level of competition. In this intense challenge the cadet who demonstrates the highest level of shooting accuracy along with the fastest completion time earns a special honor as Top Gun.This morning we have a cadet who has earned such a distinction. He is 26 years old and comes from Elk Grove, California. Cadet Yevgeny Zubku, congratulations on your award for Outstanding Marksman. (Applause)Thank you, Commissioner Stanley. Our next award is for Most Inspirational Cadet. Presenting this award is Deputy Commissioner Max Santiago. Commissioner Santiago?Thank you, Captain Newman. Our next award recognizes an individual with the ability to motivate others to unusual levels of achievement. This ability is usually described as inspirational. An inspirational leader encourages, assists, counsels and befriends everyone. Nowhere is that description more appropriate than at the California Highway Patrol Academy, where at least one cadet in every class demonstrates a capacity to genuinely inspire others. The cadets of Training Class I of 2010 to asked to select by secret ballot the individual who they felt most personified the word "inspirational."This cadet is 31 years old and comes from Lakewood, California. Cadet Marcus Guirguis, will you please step forward to accept this tribute from your classmates as the Most Inspirational member of your class? (Applause)Thank you, Commissioner Santiago. Our final award is for Outstanding Cadet. Making the presentation this morning will be our Commissioner Joe Farrow. Commissioner Farrow?The award for Outstanding Cadet is based upon a rating by the Academy staff. The qualities considered for this award are leadership ability, professional bearing, appearance and demeanor. In addition, the grades for academics, weapons, EVOC -- that's the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course -- and physical training are added for a composite score. The net result is the selection of a cadet who is indeed exceptional.It is my pleasure and privilege to present the Outstanding Cadet Award for Cadet Training Class I of 2010. This cadet is 34 years old and comes from Red Bluff, California. Cadet Jason Wakeman, will you please step forward to accept this high honor? (Applause)Governor Schwarzenegger, would you please join me in the award? (Applause)Thank you, Commissioner Farrow. Let's give them all a well-deserved hand. (Applause)We'll now move on to the portion of the ceremony that the cadets have been most waiting for. They will now prepare to receive their badges, graduation certificates and geographical assignments.Meanwhile, please enjoy this short video the class has put together for you highlighting some of the challenges they have faced during this 27-week journey that has earned them the right to be standing before you today. For those seated in the gymnasium, we invite you to stand.
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